Letchworth State Park: 2 Day Itinerary

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Letchworth State Park, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” is a stunning natural wonder situated in upstate New York. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, impressive waterfalls, and lush canyon views, the park offers a wide range of outdoor activities and experiences for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re exploring scenic trails, enjoying delicious dining options, or staying in unique lodging accommodations, Letchworth provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable adventure!

This guide provides an insightful overview of what to expect during your visit, along with a well-crafted itinerary to help you make the most of your two days in this remarkable destination.

Middle Falls

Entrance Fee:

$10 per vehicle, May through October. The rest of the year does not require an entrance fee.

Lodging:

The Glen Iris Inn manages all lodging rooms available within the park. They offer a variety of rooms in several buildings throughout the park- The Glen Iris Inn, Pinewood Lodge, Pinewood Lofts, Caroline’s Cottage, The Stone House, and The Chalet House. Reservations for all rooms can be made here- The Glen Iris Inn.

Camping is also available within the park. The park offers tent and RV sites as well as group camping and cabin options. Reservations can be made here- Letchworth Camping.

If you are looking for hotel or camping options outside the park, check out the cities of Mt. Morris, Perry, and Warsaw. Personal recommendations: Dream Lake Campground or Microtel Inn & Suites. Both are located in Warsaw.

Dining:

There are several food choices inside the park, including Caroline’s Dining Room, Lower Falls Restaurant & Lounge, Upper Falls Snack Bar, and Dam Overlook Café. Caroline’s Dining Room and Lower Falls Restaurant & Lounge both offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All dining options are seasonal, usually open from May through October.

Know Before You Go:

The park is open year-round, 6 am to 11 pm.
This park is gorgeous in the fall, but it becomes extremely crowded on weekends. Please consider visiting on a weekday if possible. If you do visit on a weekend, start your day early. The park will continue to let people in, even though much of the main road and parking areas are closed due to overcrowding.
This park has six entrances. For Day 1- especially if you are visiting on a weekend, I recommend entering through the Portageville Entrance so that Upper and Middle Falls are your first stops. However, the Portageville Entrance is closed during the winter, so you will need to use the Castille Entrance during that time.
Letchworth State Park has a diverse wildlife population, including black bears. Please review wildlife safety before heading out.
As always, please remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.

2-Day Itinerary

Day 1

If you have only one day to spend at Letchworth State Park, I recommend following Day 1 of this itinerary. It provides the best highlights of this impressive park. If you enter through the Portageville Entrance, this itinerary will guide you along the main park road from south to north. However, if you are coming from the north and entering through the Mt. Morris Entrance, follow this itinerary in reverse.

Upper Falls

Genesee Arch Bridge

Your first stop of the day will be just past the Portageville Entrance. To your right, there is a small parking area where you will get your first view of Upper Falls and the more than 900-foot-long Genesee Arch Bridge.. Walk down to the first overlook before proceeding down a set of steep stairs for a closer look at Upper Falls. After enjoying the stunning view, make your way back up the stairs. Jump in your car, and continue down the park road to experience another breathtaking view of Upper Falls.

Upper Falls

To get a different perspective of the beautiful Upper Falls and the Genesee Arch Bridge, head to the larger parking area near the concessions building, picnic area, and balloon launch. From there, walk the short path for another view of the 70-foot-tall falls. During our first visit, we were fortunate enough to witness a train crossing the bridge over the falls- an experience that our kids still talk about many years later!

Middle Falls

Depending on how busy the park is during your visit, you can either walk along the short gravel path to Middle Falls or drive your car to a spot closer to the actual falls (park closer to the restrooms). Middle Falls, which towers over 100 feet tall and spans more than 250 feet wide, is my favorite waterfall at Letchworth State Park. In the fall, when the leaves lining the gorge change color, this powerful waterfall is absolutely spectacular. Be sure to check out the various viewpoints before heading on to Inspiration Point.

Inspiration Point

Inspiration Point is arguably the prettiest view of the gorge and Genesee River along this entire route. Not only are the views of the river and gorge incredible, but you will also be able to see Middle and Upper Falls in the distance. And often, the hot air balloons floating over the gorge are really the chef’s kiss to this incredibly gorgeous view.

Humphrey Nature Center/Autism Nature Trail (3A)

Distance: 1 mile round-trip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: <100 ft

Next, head to the Humphrey Nature Center. The entrance to the parking area will be on your left, just past Inspiration Point. The Nature Center is open Thursday through Monday, 10 am to 5 pm. Once inside the nature center, you can explore the many informative exhibits before heading back outside and walking the Autism Nature Trail. This beautiful path is enjoyable year-round for people of all ages, but if you have kiddos with you, it’s an absolute must! The 1-mile loop features eight activity stations to discover and explore. Our kids particularly loved the Music Circle, which is filled with nature-inspired instruments, and the Design Zone, where they could construct houses using natural building materials. Once you are done exploring this incredible trail, it’s time to head to one more magnificent waterfall!

Lower Falls

Lower Falls/Footbridge Trail (6A)

Distance: 1 mile round-trip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 200+ ft

To visit Lower Falls, park near the Footbridge Nature Shoppe. Begin by walking past the playground and following the path until you reach a steep set of stone stairs on your left. These stone stairs mark the beginning of the Footbridge Trail (Trail 6A).

Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, turn left and continue along the path through the trees until you arrive at the overlook for Lower Falls. Please be sure to exercise caution near the ledge. While there is fencing in some areas, the grass can become overgrown, making the edge difficult to see.

Lower Falls is an impressive waterfall in Letchworth State Park, standing 70 feet high and over 300 feet wide! After taking in the views, retrace your steps back to the main trail. At the first trail split, turn right and head down towards the large cement platform. From there, follow the stairs and a short path down to the Genesee River and stone footbridge. The view of the falls and river from the bridge is just beautiful!

At this point, you can either return the way you came or continue a bit further along the Footbridge Trail to enjoy additional views of the river and gorge.

Archery Field Overlook

From the Lower Falls parking lot, return to the main park road. Just before reaching Denton Corners Road, there is a small pull-off. This quick stop offers stunning views of the river and the canyon below.

Great Bend Overlook

Just another mile down the main road is the Great Bend Overlook, a popular stop- and for good reason. Here, you can enjoy spectacular, panoramic views of the river and the surrounding landscape.

Eddy’s Overlook

This is another beautiful overlook of the surrounding area. Parking is available across the street. Picnic tables and restrooms are also available at this stop. However, if you’ve brought food into the park, I highly recommend stopping at the Wolf Creek Picnic Area. It is just before you reach Eddy’s Overlook.

Hogsback Overlook

Hogsback Overlook is another 9 miles up the main park road. There is a small parking lot with a very short but steep trail leading down to views of the river below. Here you’ll witness the river taking a sharp turn around a narrow piece of land known as “Hogsback Ridge”.

Dam Overlook

Another mile down the road is the Mt. Morris Dam Overlook. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed this working dam in the 1940s. If you have time, you can join a 45-minute ranger-led tour of the dam. Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov up to 7 days in advance, starting at 10 am EST. If you are not interested in the tour, you can still see the dam from the overlook before ending your day.

*There are several other overlooks along this route. However, those mentioned above are our must-stops😊

Day 2

Mary Jemison (2)

Distance: 2.5 miles round-trip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: <100 ft

To start this trail, park your vehicle in the lot at the end of Council Grounds Road. From there, head out on Trail 2, known as the Mary Jemison Trail, which is marked by light purple blazes. As you set out on this path, you will be greeted by beautiful forest views, especially in the fall when the canopy of tall trees above turns into a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. It’s also a great spot to enjoy some solitude and escape the crowds during the busy season.

As you make your way along the Mary Jemison Trail, be aware that this path includes several junctions where it splits into different routes. To navigate this trail without hassle, I highly recommend downloading the AllTrails map in advance. This will ensure you stay on course and make the most of your hike.

If you’re in the mood for a more extended trek, consider combining the Mary Jemison Trail with the Hemlock Trail, also known as Trail 2A. This addition will increase your total hiking distance by approximately 2.5 miles, offering you even more opportunities to explore the rich flora and fauna of the area. Just like the Mary Jemison Trail, the Hemlock Trail features numerous splits, so having the AllTrails map handy will again help you navigate the terrain with ease.

Mary Jemison Trail

Trout Pond (3)

Distance: 1 mile round-trip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: <100 ft

As you drive the main park road from the direction of the Mary Jemison Trail, look for the prominent Dragoon Monument on your left. Make a left turn at this landmark. Immediately after, take a right turn onto Trout Pond Road. As you continue along this road, you’ll notice Trout Pond situated on your left side, surrounded by the serene natural beauty of the area.

Like the Mary Jemison and Hemlock Trails, the path leading to and around Trout Pond features several splits and intersecting trails. To make your hiking experience smoother and more enjoyable, I highly recommend downloading the AllTrails map prior to your visit. This handy tool will help you navigate the various trail options and decide on the best route for your hike.

If you’re interested in extending your adventure, consider adding the Hemlock Trail (again, designated as 2A) to your itinerary. This trail offers a different perspective and additional scenery, making it a worthwhile alternative.

For those who enjoy fishing, Trout Pond is a great spot to cast your line! If you hold a valid fishing license, you are welcome to fish in the pond. The regulations allow you to keep whatever you catch, adding an exciting opportunity to your outdoor experience. Enjoy your time exploring this beautiful area!

*Optional Add-ons for Day 2

Depending on the time of year, the season, and your budget, there are several exciting activities to consider for your Day 2 itinerary.

If you’re looking for a breathtaking (but pricy!) experience, a hot air balloon ride over the gorge can provide stunning panoramic views of the landscape and is particularly enchanting during sunrise or sunset.

For a refreshing escape after a day of hiking in the summer heat, you might enjoy the free Harvey Swimming Pool located at the north end of the park. Relax and soak up the sun in this serene setting.

If you’re feeling adventurous, consider rafting on the river, which offers an exhilarating way to experience the natural beauty of the area while navigating through thrilling rapids. Check out Adventure Calls Outfitters for all rafting options.

I hope you have an incredible adventure!